Thaindian News

Mumbai, March 20 (IANS) Millions of Mumbaikars celebrated Holi with traditional fervour and gaiety Sunday. But the ongoing school and college exams poured dampened the Holi plans of many youngsters.

The celebrations started Saturday night with the traditional ‘lolika’ bonfires and continued till the wee hours, only to resume Sunday morning as people came out of their homes to splash each other with colours.

Compared to last year, the celebrations were a bit subdued among the youngsters.

To avoid disturbing the students, many housing complexes and societies refrained from playing loud music.

Police maintained strict vigil all over the city.

Film stars, celebrities, business personalities, politicians and others enjoyed the festival with gatherings at their homes in and around Mumbai.

Mumbai North Lok Sabha MP Sanjay Nirupam organised a get together at his home with cultural and culinary extravaganza, while Maharashtra Navnirman Sena vice-president V. Saraswat held a ‘Bhojpuri Holi’ at his house.

Amid the celebrations, Mumbaikars got stern messages from the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) and the Mumbai Police.

While the BMC banned cutting of trees for Holi, police warned of 10 years rigorous jail for those caught throwing water balloons.

People from different communities celebrated Holi together in other major cities like Pune, Nagpur, Aurangabad and Kolhapur.

In Konkan’s Ratnagiri district, people celebrated the festival by wearing colourful face masks of different Hindu gods and enthralled the tourists visiting the picturesque coastal regions.